As the school year winds to an end, many high schools and colleges are getting ready for their graduation ceremonies. They often attempt to find a commencement speaker, who may be famous people or alumni. For example, the University of Maryland has had many famous people who graduated from their school, people they may wish to return to and speak to the newest graduates. Larry David (creator of Seinfeld), Jeff Kinney (writer of the world famous Diary of Wimpy Kid), Sergey Brin, (the co-creator of Google), have all gone to Maryland. However, instead of any of these people, Maryland decided to choose Kermit the Frog as their 2025 commencement address speaker.
Kermit the Frog, the mascot and leader of the Muppets franchise who has appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows since his creation in 1955, is possibly the most famous puppet in the entire world. Originally appearing in a small public access show called Sam and Friends, Kermit has had worldwide appeal now, having appeared in over 100 different countries. While this might seem like a random choice from the university, Kermit has had experience with this sort of thing, previously being the speaker for the 1996 graduation of Southampton College of Long Island University. However, there might actually be a sentimental reason for the choice this time around.
In 1960, Jim Henson, the creator of Kermit and the other Muppets, graduated from the University of Maryland. While Kermit was originally created in 1955, he lacked the crown around his neck that he wears now and was just described as “a vague, lizard-like creature.” While studying at the University of Maryland, Henson refined Kermit’s design and personality, making him more similar to the modern Kermit. If it weren’t for Maryland, the world may have never gotten the Muppets they have today.
The ceremony will be held on May 21st at College Park and Kermit will be puppeteered by his current puppeteer, Matt Vogel. The Disney corporation, who owns Kermit, also hopes that these sorts of performances can convince more colleges to hire them for college addresses. Maybe in the future people will have Mickey Mouse congratulating graduates at Harvard.
References
Lockman, JT Moodee. “Kermit The Frog to Speak at University of Maryland 2025 Commencement.” CBS News, CBS Broadcasting Inc, 27 March 2025, www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/kermit-the-frog-commencement-speaker-umd-speech-muppets-voice/.
Wilkinson, Todd. “Is Kermit the Frog What the Class of 2025 Needs?” The New York Times, The New York Times Company, 28 March 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/style/kermit-university-of-maryland-commencement-reaction.html.
Vargas, Ramon Antonio. “Kermit the Frog tapped as University of Maryland Commencement Speaker.” The Guardian, Guardian News & Media Limited, 28 March 2025,
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/28/kermit-the-frog-university-of-maryland-commencement.
